Music box

ABSTRACT

An improved music box having an internal rotatable endless belt carrying a pair of swiss reeds offset 180* one from the other and a box enclosure with two lines of music on one long side of the box. Swiss reed actuating pegs in the form of notes are insertable through the music lines. The notes are of varying widths to give corresponding varying time values for the notes.

I Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,783,730 Waters, Jr. Jan. 8, 1974 MUSIC BOX 2,487,138 11/1949 Howe 84/94 2 1 1mm James wao-s, 12111 2:32:33? 3? 32322553133: .31.???4325? Parklawn D12, Suite 206, Rockville, 20852 Primary Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin [22] Filed: June 29, 1973 i Attorney-William A. Strauch et a]. 21 Appl. No.: 375,131

i [57] ABSTRACT [521 US. (:1. 84/94, 84/101 An improved music box having an internal rotatable 51 Int. Cl. Gl0f 1/06 endless bolt carrying a p of Swiss foods off-sot 58 Field of Search "34194-101 one from the other and a boX enclosure with two lines 'wmwwdmgwt of music on one long side of the box. Swiss reed actu- [56] References Cited ating pegs in the form of notes are insertable through UNITED STATES PATENTS the music lines. The notes are .of varying widths to 398 241 2/1889 Ehrlich et a]. 84/94 give cmespmding varying time values M the notes- 22 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJM! 81974 3,783,730

' 29 Kid 3 34 ie I 29 29 44 FIG IO FIG. ll FIG I2 MUSIC BOX BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Musical toys in the form of swiss reed music boxes have been popular with children of all ages for centuries. More recently such music'boxes have been provided with removable and replaceable pins or pegs which intermittently strum individual reeds so that differing musical compositions may be played on the same box and to encourage the child to compose his own tunes, thus lending educational value to the toy.

However, such music boxes with removable pins or pegs rarely have the visual appearance of a true music score. More importantly, little variation in rhythm is provided nor is there much variation from some preselected diatonic scale. In summary, the construction of such boxes allows for little more than a very short, very simple tune to be arranged and played.

Examples of prior art swiss reed music boxes are disclosed in the following prior U. S. patents.

A cylindrical toy music box having an inner, rotatable swiss reed and a stationary, external housing perforated to selectively receive a programmed arrangement of pegs for striking individual reeds to produce a tune is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 1,969,147, issued to D. W. Paul. U. S. Pat. No. 2,955,502 issued to J. V. Ventura discloses an elongate music box with an internal endless belt having a single transverse striking member for playing individual reeds mounted on their own pegs and inserted at the top'of the box. A reverse arrangement is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 239,303 issued to W. H. Allen wherein note pegs are inserted through an endless belt, which is rotated so the pegs strike elements of a stationary swiss reed. Two prior U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,557,061 and 2,780,952 disclose note pegs inserted in a rotatable disc of a music box.

The prior art does not disclose a music box with two ofiset swiss reeds arranged on an endless belt to play a tune considerably longer than that permitted by prior art structures, nor individual note peg structure constructed to play notes of varying time value thus providing a greatly sophisticated music box capable of producing off beat, syncopated rhythm tunes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION means lasting a considerable length of time as com pared with prior art music boxes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a swiss reed type of music box having a rotatable, internal endless belt mounting a pair of swiss reeds in staggered, offset relationship whereby one reed plays part of a tune after which the other completes the tune.

It is another object of the invention to provide a music box having a plurality of insertable tone activating pegs made of varying sizes to produce tones of varying time value.

A further object of the invention is to provide a music box with tone pegs insertable in a preselected manner to produce a desired tune, the finished arrangement of pegs having the appearance of a real score of music.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide tone actuating pegs for a music box wherein each peg is firmly friction-fit into place, but easily removed to arrange another, different tune.

Still another object of the invention is to provide tone actuating pegs for a music box wherein one or more individual pegs may include a shiftable peg within a peg mount for producing half tones, that is, sharps or flats of the selected tone.

Further novel features and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred structural embodiments of this invention are disclosed in the accompaning drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 with the top of the music box removed to show interior detail;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2, and drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of several tone actuating pegs of the invention arranged together to illustrate time value relationship of selected notes according to their size;

'FIG. 5 is a plan view of a single note similar to those shown in FIG. 4; v

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a music rest or nontone producing peg;

FIGS. 7-.-l0 are perspective view disclosing various embodiments of individual tone actuating pegs;

FIG. 11 is a plan view'of another embodiment of a tone actuating peg; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the tone actuating peg shown in FIG. 9, and further showing its insertable relationship to the music score side of the music box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The music box illustrated and disclosed by the drawings includes a cabinet or box container 10 having one side or face 12 structured in the appearance of a real score of music. For purposes of clarity, this appearance in FIG. 1 has been considerably abbreviated to merely show a treble clef 14 and a base clef 15 with a few notes 16 arranged on score 12.

Internally of box 10 is an endless belt structure 18 which may comprise a single belt or a pair of belts of equal width (FIG. 1) each belt having a swiss reed 20 mounted thereon. As is well known, a swiss reed has a plurality of individual tone producing reeds each of which, when struck or plinked at the outer end, vibrates to produce a tone. A plurality of such reeds arranged side by side in either diatonic or chromatic scale fashion is known as a swiss reed.

The endless belt structure is trained about a pair of rotatable pulleys or sheaves 22, joumalled in box 10, one of the pulleys having a manual crank 24 for driving the pulleys and belt structure 18. The drive means for the belt 18 is disclosed as a simple crank 24, but a more 'plete the tune. Thus, within the space limitations required by the size of a small music box 10, a tune lasting twice as long as tunes produced by prior art structures is provided. Alternatively, the reeds 20 may be arranged together, one above the other to play melody and harmony of a tune. Either position of swiss reeds 20 is possible by the split belt structure 18 by merely moving one belt with respect to the other until the reeds 20 are arranged in the same vertical plane. At the same time music score face 12 may be duplicated on the opposite side of box and arranged with note pegs 16 to continue the same tune from the front side of box 10 or perhaps to play a different tune (FIG. 2). If desired, box 10 could be deepened to provide four score faces 12 (not shown) to play even longer or different tunes.

A simple, mechanical swiss reed music box has been disclosed but, obviously, the reeds could be replaced by electrical contacts leading to a known electronic tone mechanism located centrally of the music box (not shown).

The actuation of individual reeds by each note peg 16 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Each note pegl6 has a planar, external face 26 and a reed striking leg 28 therebehind inserted through one of a number of slits 30 fonned in music score face 12. A reference line 29 on face 26, arranged coplanarly with leg 28, provides a visual check to assure that leg 28 is inserted into the correct slit 30. Leg 28 and slit 30 are dimensioned one to the other for a snug friction-fit so that note peg 16 will not be displaced as a tune is played, but so it may be easily manually removed and replaced when another tune is to be arranged.

FIG. 4 shows the unique size relationship of various note pegs. The bottom note peg 16a has a width amounting to whole note value, and the note may be graphically displayed on the face 26 as shown. The upper right peg 16b is half as wide as the lower; thus it is a half note and this is graphically displayed on its face 26. Again, two note pegs 16c to the'left of the half note peg are each half as wide as the half note peg one quarter as wide as the whole note peg. Accordingly, a quarter note is graphically displayed on these pegs as shown.

Therefore, assuming the striking face on each peg 16 is on the same side of the peg, or the left hand side (FIG. 2) the pegs may be arrangedon music score face as shown in FIG. 1 and, being arranged in abutting relationship, will produce their intended tune values. A comparison of FIGS. 4 and 1 shows thenotes of FIG. 4 interspersed with each other to produce a tune according to FIG. 1.

Since time value for a selected note 16 depends only on the width of the face 26 of the note, an infinite variety of notes and rests may be provided. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a dotted half-note 16d. A dotted note has a time value increased by one-half of its value. Thus, a dotted half-note has a time value equal to a half-note plus a quarter note. FIGS. 4 and 5 are drawn to precisely the same scale so that the width of face 26 Of course, rests of varying widths may be included, to represent half rests, quarter rests, and so forth.

FIGS. 7-10 inclusive disclose several embodiments of notestructure. In FIG. 7, the note 16 has a button extension 36 which maybe grasped by thumb and forefinger to facilitate insertion and removal of note 16 from music score face 12.

The note 16 shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the ones shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 except that support leg 28 has a reed contact extension 38, for striking a reed to produce a tone. In FIG. 9, a rear perspective view of another embodiment of note 16 is disclosed. A finger grip 40 is formed integrally on the face of the note, to facilitate insertion and removal of the note on music score face 12 and the rear support and reed striking leg 28 is i made with an uninterrupted angled rear edge, terminating at portion 42 which strikes a reed to produce a tone.

The note 16 disclosed in FIG. 10 has only two elements, these being a face 26 and a removable headed pin 44 inserted centrally through the face 26. Pin 44 serves not only to mount the note 16 in music score side 12 but also to strike a reed to produce a tone.

of note 16d (FIG. 5) equals the combined widths'of a note 160 plus note 16b of FIG. 4.

A whole rest 32 is shown in FIG. 6. The rest 32 is constructed similarly to a note 16, except that the depth of its leg 28 is abbreviated as indicated at 34 so that rest 32 will be supportedin a selected slit 30 but leg'28 will not strike one of the reeds of swiss reed 20.

said belt means; and a plurality of tone actuating means.

center position indicated for pin 44 will produce thedesired tone shown. But, by leaving face 26 stationary, pin 44 may be removed and positioned at the top of slot 46 to produce a sharp of the reference tone, orv downwardly to the bottom of slot 46 to produce a flat of the refenence tone, assuming swiss reed 20 is a chromatic reed. j v

It is now rather clear that the relatively simple music box shown and described includes structure providing an infinite variety of producable tunes, with respect to tone as well as rhythm, due to the unique note structures disclosed, and that a tune may be constructed upon a music score face 12 having a very realistic appearance, particularly with reference to prior art music boxes. Thus the music box, although primarily intended as a toy, has considerable music education qualities as well.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: V v

1. A music box comprising: a box enclosure; a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on parallel axes within said box; endless belt means trained about said sheaves; drive means for rotating one of said sheaves; a plurality of tone producing means on said belt means being in a preselected position transverse to the long axis of said belt means and on the outer face thereof; music score box enclosure in coplanar relationship to the plane of insertable through said elongate music score face in preselected fashion and arranged whereby each of said tone actuating means contacts a corresponding one of said tone producing means on said belt means as said belt means is rotated within said box thereby producing a musical composition.

2. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein both of said outer elongate faces of said box enclosure in coplanar relationship with said endless belt means include music score means.

3. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprise a crank mounted on one of said sheaves, exterior of said box enclosure and journalled therethrough.

4. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein said tone producing means comprise swiss reed means.

5. The musicbox as recited in claim 4 wherein said endless belt means comprise a pair of endless belts trained in side by side arrangement about said sheaves and said swiss reed means comprise a pair of swiss reeds, one mounted on each of said belts.

6. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said music score means comprise a plurality of elongate parallel slits formed in said one elongate face of said box enclosure, each being arranged in coplanar relationship to one corresponding reed of said swiss reeds passing therebehind on said belts.

7. The music box as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of tone actuating means comprise a note peg, insertable through a preselected one of said slits, said note peg having a reed striking face at its inserted terminal end.

8. The music box as recited in claim 7 wherein each of a plurality of said note pegs has its reed striking face located in precisely similar relationship to each other note peg.

9. The music box as recited in claim 8 wherein said each note peg includes a note face, positioned exteriorally on said music score, said note face having a width corresponding to a known time value, whereby a plurality of said note pegs have preselected values according to their related varying widths of their said note faces.

10. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said swiss reeds are constructed to produce a chromatic scale.

11. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said swiss reeds are constructed to produce a diatonic scale.

12. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said pair of swiss reeds are displaced 180 from each other on their respective endless belts.

13. In a music box having a box enclosure, a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on parallel axes within said box, endless belt means trained about said sheaves,

drive means for rotating one of said sheaves, a plurality of tone producing means on said belt means being in a preselected position transverse to the long axis of said belt means and on the outer face thereof, and music score means on at least one of the outer elongate faces of said box enclosure in coplanar relationship to the plane of said belt means: a plurality of tone actuating means insertable through said music score means in preselected fashion to periodically actuate said tone producing means to produce a musical composition, each of said plurality of tone actuating means comprising: a note peg, insertable through said music score means to actuate one of said tone producing means on said belt means as said belts means passes therebeneath; and a note face on said note peg, positionable exteriorally on said music score, said note face having a width corresponding to a known time value whereby said plurality of tone actuating means have preselected time values according to their related varying widths of their said note faces.

14. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said note faces further comprise finger graspable means to facilitate insertion and removal of said note peg into and from the music score means.

15. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 14 wherein said finger graspable means comprise a headed pm.

16. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 14 wherein said finger graspable means comprise an elongate member formed integrally with said note face.

17. The tone actuating means of claim 13 wherein all of said note pegs have tone actuating faces located on an edge thereof parallel with an edge of their said note faces.

18. The tone actuating means of claim 17 wherein each of said tone actuating faces comprise an extension formed integrally at the free end of said note peg.

19. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said note pegs comprise a pin, inserted through a note face.

20. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 19 wherein each .of said note faces further comprise vertical slot means formed therein for selective positioning of said pin.

21. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13, further comprising a pluralityof non-tone actuating means, each forming a musical rest and comprising a ,rest face and a support member insertable into the music score means.

22. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 21 wherein said rest faces are of varying widths to form musical rests of varying time values. 

1. A music box comprising: a box enclosure; a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on parallel axes within said box; endless belt means trained about said sheaves; drive means for rotating one of said sheaves; a plurality of tone producing means on said belt means being in a preselected position transverse to the long axis of said belt means and on the outer face thereof; music score means on at least one of the outer elongate faces of said box enclosure in coplanar relationship to the plane of said belt means; and a plurality of tone actuating means insertable through said elongate music score face in preselected fashion and arranged whereby each of said tone actuating means contacts a corresponding one of said tone producing means on said belt means as said belt means is rotated within said box thereby producing a musical composition.
 2. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein both of said outer elongate faces of said box enclosure in coplanar relationship with said endless belt means include music score means.
 3. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprise a crank mounted on one of said sheaves, exterior of said box enclosure and journalled therethrough.
 4. The music box as recited in claim 1 wherein said tone producing means comprise swiss reed means.
 5. The music box as recited in claim 4 wherein said endless belt means comprise a pair of endless belts trained in side by side arrangement about said sheaves and said swiss reed means comprise a pair of swiss reeds, one mounted on each of said belts.
 6. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said music score means comprise a plurality of elongate parallel slits formed in said one elongate face of said box enclosure, each being arranged in coplanar relationship to one corresponding reed of said swiss reeds passing therebehind on said belts.
 7. The music box as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of tone actuating means comprise a note peg, insertable through a preselected one of said slits, said note peg having a reed striking face at its inserted terminal end.
 8. The music box as recited in claim 7 wherein each of a plurality of said note pegs has its reed striking face located in precisely similar relationship to each other note peg.
 9. The music box as recited in claim 8 whErein said each note peg includes a note face, positioned exteriorally on said music score, said note face having a width corresponding to a known time value, whereby a plurality of said note pegs have preselected values according to their related varying widths of their said note faces.
 10. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said swiss reeds are constructed to produce a chromatic scale.
 11. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said swiss reeds are constructed to produce a diatonic scale.
 12. The music box as recited in claim 5 wherein said pair of swiss reeds are displaced 180* from each other on their respective endless belts.
 13. In a music box having a box enclosure, a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on parallel axes within said box, endless belt means trained about said sheaves, drive means for rotating one of said sheaves, a plurality of tone producing means on said belt means being in a preselected position transverse to the long axis of said belt means and on the outer face thereof, and music score means on at least one of the outer elongate faces of said box enclosure in coplanar relationship to the plane of said belt means: a plurality of tone actuating means insertable through said music score means in preselected fashion to periodically actuate said tone producing means to produce a musical composition, each of said plurality of tone actuating means comprising: a note peg, insertable through said music score means to actuate one of said tone producing means on said belt means as said belts means passes therebeneath; and a note face on said note peg, positionable exteriorally on said music score, said note face having a width corresponding to a known time value whereby said plurality of tone actuating means have preselected time values according to their related varying widths of their said note faces.
 14. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said note faces further comprise finger graspable means to facilitate insertion and removal of said note peg into and from the music score means.
 15. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 14 wherein said finger graspable means comprise a headed pin.
 16. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 14 wherein said finger graspable means comprise an elongate member formed integrally with said note face.
 17. The tone actuating means of claim 13 wherein all of said note pegs have tone actuating faces located on an edge thereof parallel with an edge of their said note faces.
 18. The tone actuating means of claim 17 wherein each of said tone actuating faces comprise an extension formed integrally at the free end of said note peg.
 19. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said note pegs comprise a pin, inserted through a note face.
 20. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 19 wherein each of said note faces further comprise vertical slot means formed therein for selective positioning of said pin.
 21. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of non-tone actuating means, each forming a musical rest and comprising a rest face and a support member insertable into the music score means.
 22. The tone actuating means as recited in claim 21 wherein said rest faces are of varying widths to form musical rests of varying time values. 